02 November 1999 :

Also on November 2, the four moved the Madras High Court, seeking a directive to declare the rejection of their mercy petitions by Tamil Nadu Governor Justice M. Fathima Beevi as illegal and inoperative. The petitioners contended that the Governor was empowered under Art. 161 of the Constitution to grant pardons, reprieves, revision of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offense against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the state extends.